Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
The UK Youth Mobility Visa allows young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to stay, work, and experience life in the UK under a visa validity period of two years.
If you’re applying for a Youth Mobility Visa and need expert support, our immigration advisers are here to help. Call us at +2080162308 or reach out via message for personalised assistance.
The UK Youth Mobility Visa allows young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to stay, work, and experience life in the UK under a visa validity period of two years.
If you’re applying for a Youth Mobility Visa and need expert support, our immigration advisers are here to help. Call us at +2080162308 or reach out via message for personalised assistance.
What is the UK Youth Mobility Visa?
The Youth Mobility Visa in the UK is a cultural exchange program that selects young adults from specific countries, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the UK by working and traveling there. This visa is open to individuals aged between 18 and 30, or 35 years old, depending on their nationality, and promotes international relations by enabling young adults to visit and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
The season of this visa may be obtained by citizens of an eligible list of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, India, Iceland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Uruguay. It also extends to British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, and British National (Overseas).
Applicants must ensure that they meet the financial requirements by demonstrating sufficient savings and applying without dependents to be considered. Some states have a ballot system to control the large number of applications.
Holders of the Youth Mobility Visa can engage in any form of employment in the UK, with slight exceptions, even self-employment. Indicatively, they cannot be professional athletes or coaches. Self-employed people are required to have:
- A home or a space that is not a commercial premise
- Their equipment is not worth more than £5,000
- No employees
This visa also allows study opportunities, either full-time or part-time, but with a few academic courses requiring an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
It is also worth noting that no public funds are available under this visa, and the applicant must cover all costs associated with living, working, and studying in the country.
To obtain a Youth Mobility Visa in the United Kingdom, a candidate should be able to meet specific requirements introduced by UK Visas and Immigration. The major eligibility requirements are given below:
Age Requirement
You need to be between 18 and 30 years of age. Nonetheless, applicants from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea have until the age of 35 to apply.
Eligible Countries
You should be a resident of any of the following nations or territories:
- Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, India, Iceland, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Uruguay, Andorra, Monaco, or San Marino.
- British Overseas citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens, and British Nationals (Overseas) are also eligible to apply to the scheme.
Further Requirements
Indian National Applicants have to qualify to RQF Level 6, or more, or have at least 3 years of professional experience in a skilled occupation on the Appendix Skilled Occupations list in the UK.
Financial Requirement
You need to prove that you have savings of at least £2,530 and have held those savings continuously over the last 28 days preceding the application (the savings must be held for at least 31 consecutive days).
No Dependents
You should have no children who live with you and are less than 18 years of age, or who are dependent on you.
Applicants Have Never Previously Applied
You are not allowed to apply if you previously received a Youth Mobility Visa.
Visa Fees and Health Surcharge
The fee must be paid to apply for the visa and to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Any eligible person must also submit their biometric details.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
In case you are a candidate from a country that needs TB testing, you have to present valid results.
General Grounds of Refusal
You should not be covered by the general grounds of refusal in the UK, which include a record of immigration offences or a criminal record.
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You can start your Youth Mobility Visa application online up to six months before your intended travel date in the UK, provided you meet all the eligibility criteria and have already secured a place via a ballot (provided your country of origin so requires it).
The job needs to be applied for online through the official gov.uk online portal. The breakdown of the process looks like the following:
Fill in the Online Application
Begin by completing the Youth Mobility Visa application form via the internet. It will require you to give matching personal information, travel arrangements, and supporting documents to your application.
Submission of Desired Documentation
You will be asked to attach other required documents, which are your passport, proof of funds, invitation to apply (where applicable), and country-specific documents.
Pay Fees
Provide a copy of the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as a supplementary portion of the online provision.
Biometric Appointment
Once you have applied online, you need to book an appointment at a UK visa application centre in your home country. You will have to supply your biometric information, which consists of a photograph and fingerprints.
Wait Until a Decision Is Made
After submitting your application and your biometrics, they usually decide within a maximum of three weeks. An update will be sent to you by email or post.
Get a Decision
Once accepted, you will be issued a visa vignette in your passport, which will enable you to visit the UK.
In case the answer is No, then you will be advised of the basis in writing, and you can consider reapplying or appealing where possible.
Struggling to find your way through your application or compose your documentation?
We have a proficient immigration team that is willing to take you through the process.
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In case you have a citizenship or passport of India, Taiwan, or Hong Kong (holding the Special Administrative Region passport), you will have to go through the process of completing a ballot, and only then will you be able to apply for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme visa.
How the Ballot Works
This is done by first registering your expression of interest with the UK Home Office at one of the advertised ballot windows. In the process, the UK government will be able to select applicants from the list of interested individuals randomly.
Voting occurs typically on a bi-annual basis, usually in January and July, and only 48 hours are allowed after the announcement of a ballot. You must enter your details within this window to be taken into consideration.
What Happens If You’re Selected?
In case you are drawn in the ballot, you will get a formal invitation to apply for the Youth Mobility Visa. After this, you will be given 30 days to complete your entire visa application online by submitting documents and fees.
To demonstrate your eligibility after balloting, you are supposed to:
- Present a valid invitation to apply issued by the Home Office
- Fill in your visa in the required time listed in your invitation
With limited quotas and high future demand, not every application of interest will result in an invitation. In case you do not get picked, you can have another chance in the following rounds of the drawing.
To apply for the Youth Mobility Visa, you have to satisfy specific financial requirements to demonstrate you can cover your expenses in the UK:
You need to have a minimum savings of £2,530. To be eligible as a temporary financial resident, such savings have to be maintained and held for at least 28 days in the 31 days up to the date you present your visa application.
You are ineligible to apply if you have dependent children less than 18 years of age who live with you or depend on you financially.
These monetary requirements can help prove that you are not using government funds during your stay. During your application, you are required to submit bank statements or other formal records of your finances.
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Are you considering applying to the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) Visa scheme but do not have a clear picture of how to go about it? Well, we are here to enable you. We have a team of experts in UK immigration who are entirely up to date with the current changes in UK immigration law and visa requirements here at ISUK. We will support you throughout the application process and ensure that you make an informed decision about completing a full and accurate application.
We can help you determine whether you qualify under the Youth Mobility Scheme or if you need an alternative visa type. We will also conduct a thorough review of your documents to ensure they are properly arranged and meet the Home Office’s requirements. We want to lower the chances of delays or declines by ensuring that you have done your best to avoid the most frequent mistakes and get your application in its best possible condition.
Whether you’re new to the application or trying your luck again after a rejection, we aim to ensure that the process is as stress-free and easy as possible. For information on how we can assist you, please call us at +2080162308 or visit us online to get started today.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
ho qualifies for the UK Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?
Youth Mobility Scheme Visa can be obtained by eligible citizens of participating countries between the ages of 18 and 30 (18-35 years in some countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, India, South Korea and others) They also cover the British Overseas citizens and British National (Overseas) passport holders.
Am I required to choose a ballot to apply for the Youth Mobility Visa?
Yes, but you must enter and be selected in a ballot as LVRs if you are a resident of India, Taiwan, or Hong Kong (SAR passport holders). Ballot: The ballot typically opens twice a year, in January and July, and is available for only 48 hours.
What is the validity of the Youth Mobility Visa?
The visa can last a maximum of 2 years. Nevertheless, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand citizens can apply to have their stay extended to a further year, making the total stay 3 years.
What are the financial requirements?
For at least 28 consecutive days within the 31 days leading up to your application, you must save no less than 2,530 pounds. You also need to be without any dependents below 18 years.
Am I allowed to work or study in the UK under the Youth Mobility Visa?
You can, provided you avoid the kind of employment as a professional sportsperson or coach. You can also conduct your research; some courses may require an ATAS certificate.
What are the country-specific documents?
Some nationalities need additional documents. In such cases, applicants of Indian origin are required to have a police clearance and evidence of qualification. In contrast, applicants from Iceland or Uruguay are required to provide a criminal or judicial record issued within the past six months of the application.
What happens when my Youth Mobility Visa is rejected?
If your application is rejected, you can reapply by correcting the documents, apply for administrative review within 28 days, or determine other visa availability. The best course of action would be to consult with the legal representatives to determine the appropriate course of action.
What can ISUK assist with my Youth Mobility Visa?
ISUK provides professional assistance in your visa process. Our team will assist you to ensure that everything, including making sure you are qualified, examining your documents, and filling out your application, is submitted to the mark. Call us on +2080162308 or engage with us digitally and receive personalised assistance.
